National Capital Homebuilders Invite Everyone To Participate In Annual Celebration Of Design Excellence

The 32nd GOHBA Annual Housing Design Awards are taking place October 3rd at the Shaw Centre and, for the first time ever, Ottawans are being invited to vote online for their favourite project to be awarded the Ottawa Citizen People’s Choice Award for 2015.

All finalist award boards will be displayed at the Ottawa Fall Home Show taking place at the EY Centre from September 24 to 27, and visitors can select their favourite design.

“Our members build homes all across the Nation’s Capital, so residents of every part of the Greater Ottawa area can now take part in our annual celebration of housing design excellence,” explains John Herbert, executive director, Greater Ottawa Homebuilders’ Association (GOHBA). “People get excited about beautiful design and by making voting easy, either in person at the Ottawa Fall Home Show or online, everyone can participate in this year’s awards.”

The GOHBA Housing Design Awards recognize new home construction and renovation in Ottawa. Winners include the city’s top builders, designers, architects and renovators. They compete in a range of categories such as attached housing, custom homes, housing developments, renovations ranging from under $60,000 to well over $500,000, production tract kitchens and bathrooms, custom kitchens and bathrooms and green building projects.

“The awards gala is always a phenomenal event, and I’ve seen it grow over the years. Allowing people to vote online will only enhance the prestige of the People’s Choice Award,” said Roberto Campagna, CEO, Roca Homes, who was the winner of the 2014 Custom Builder of the Year Award. “I believe in doing one thing very well; for us that means building high-end custom homes. Being at the forefront of design is crucial and the Design Awards keeps us sharp and always improving.”

Industry professionals judging

The awards are judged by a panel of respected Canadian Home Builder Association members and other experienced industry professionals from outside Ottawa. This includes experts covering a wide range of skills and expertise such as builders, renovators, architects, planners, interior designers and educators.

Judges use an online assessment tool and measure each entry against the criteria set out for the category. A maximum of five finalists for each category are selected and winners are announced on the night of the event.

Cardel Homes was the winner of the 2014 Production Builder of the Year Award. CEO Greg Graham said, “We participate in the Design Awards because being evaluated by industry peers gives us a good handle on our standing. It’s recognition of the quality of the homes we build and the skills we bring to bear. Winning a GOBHA award is also good for our team and our trade partners. It’s recognition of their success too.”

The awards are open to all GOHBA members, the home building and renovation professionals in the Ottawa region. This includes Builders, Renovators, Designers and Architects.

Designer of the Year

Custom Builder of the Year

Production Builder of the Year

Cardel Homes

Glenview Homes

Lépine

Uniform Urban Developments

Urbandale Construction

Renovator of the Year

Amsted Design-Build

Lagois Design Build Renovate

OakWood

RND Construction

Sandy Hill Construction

Visit the Ottawa Fall Home Show at the EY Centre from September 24 to 27 to vote for your favourite project, or visit www.housing.gohbaawards.ca to cast your vote online. Voting closes Sunday September 27th, 2015 at 5:00 PM.